Propeller for dirigible airships



July 3, 1928.

. I 1,675,814 J. W. SILVER PROPELLER FOR DIRIGIBLE AIRsHIPs Filed April 17. 192 6 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z W o o i Q g; M x

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m I NVENTOR 'PoR EY Jul 3,4192%. 1,675,914

' J.- W. SILVER PROPELLER FOR DIRIGIBLE AIRSHIPS Filed April 17. .1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I I I l I I I l I ezzer' INVENTOR Ii-$55 14/. 671. ME]? v BY Patented July 3,1928.

PATENT oerlcr.

JESSE W. SILVER, OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON.

PBOPELLER FOB. DIRIGIBLE AIRSHIPS.

Application filed April 17, 1926. Serial No. 102,697.

This invention relates to improvements in dirigible airships, and more particularly it relates to propelling means for airships; the principal object of the invention being to provide airships of the dirigible type with a plurality of encircling, oppositely driven propeller unit's whereby a much greater driving force may be produced than is possible by the commonly used propellers, whereby better balance of the ship is provided and all torque on the frame of the ship, suchas is caused incidental to propelling by units that are suspended from or disposed radially of the ship, is overcome.

More specifically, the object of the invention resides in the provision of propeller units of the character ,above'stated, each Comprising a. ring that encircles the airship bodyand is revoluble thereabout and is equipped with a effect the propelling force. A It is also an ob ect of the invention to provide supporting and driving gears for each of the propeller rings disposed'at equallyspaced intervals circumferentially so as to avoid any binding or strain on the rings that would occur if they were driven from one point only.

Other objects of the invention reside in the various details of construction and combination of parts whereby a substantial, eflicient and economically operable propelling mechanism is produced.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a side view of a dirigible airship equipped with propelling means in accordance with the details of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross section, transversely of the ship, showing the driving belts for the propelling rings radiating from a cent-rally located, driven pulley or drum.

Figure 3 is a fragmental section showing the means for driving the drum and the belt connections between the drum and the ring driving gears.

Figure 4 is an enlarged, detail view showing the means for mounting and driving a propeller ring.

Figure 5 is a side View of the same parts.

plurality of angularly dis- "posed fins, or vanes, for engaging the air to Figure 6 is a top, or plan view, of the parts as shown in Figure 5.

Referring more in detail to the drawings- 1 designates, in its entirety, a dirigible airship of the type for which the propelling means embodied by the present invention intended; the airship comprising a' frame structure of cigar shape and which is circular in cross section. Since the frame construction of the ship comprises no part of the present invention, it will not be described in detail but it is to be understood that the f *ame would be made up and suitably braced substantially in the same manner the larger types of present day dirigible airships are now made. The frame will comprise longitudinally spaced apart circular frame sections, as indicated at 2 in Figure 2', and the longitudinally extending ribs 3 whereby the sections Q'are joined in spaced relation. The whole frame structure would be covered by means of an envelope 4 and suitable cross bracing and interior structure will be provided for containing the gas cells, ballast, fuel tanks, etc. which, in the present drawings, are not illustrated.

Encircling the forward portion of the frame structure, at certain spaced apart intervals longitudinally of the ship, are propeller rings 5 each being supported to revolve about the frame in a plane that is perpendicular to its axis, and are provided with a plurality of outwardly extending propeller fins, or vanes, 6 set at an angle wit-h respect to the direction of rotation so as to impart a forwardly directed pull on the ship when the rings are revolved.

In Figure 1 of the present illustration, I have shown the ship equipped with four of such propeller units and these are arranged so that alternate units revolve in opposite directions. It is to be understood that two or more even number of rings could be provided as is required to give a desired speed or pull. Certain of the rings must revolve opposite to the others in order to overcome any tendency of the frame to rotate and it is most desirable to have alternate rings operating in opposite directions.

In a preferred construction, each ring 5 is of channel form in cross section with the propeller fins, 6, which are of oval form pivotally attached to the base portion 5 of the ring. These fins are held at a desired.

carry anti-friction thrust pitch by brace rods 7 that are attached to the ring and extend through slots in the fins, with nuts 74 threaded therein against the fins to hold them 7 which may be varied by adjustmentof the nuts. The opposite side flanges, of the rings are turned inwardly to overlie the outer sides of raceways 8 that are fixed to the frame structure and which are adapted to and supporting bearings, as. indicated at rings are revoluble.

Thedriving means proyidedfor each ring comprises a pulley, or drum, 10, supported on a shaft 11 located centrally ofthe frame, as shown best in Figure 2. This. drum is adapted tobe driven by a :belt connection 13 that operatesover a pulley 14 on the shaft and a similarpulley l5 onthe shaft 16. of a -motor 17; the .motor being located in the? loWe1'.-part.ot..the frame, as is shown in mFigure'3. Mounted at certain spaced inate about the'central extend radially theretrom and about pulleys 23 that are fixed on the ends er the shafts tervals about the outer portion of the frame on: shafts 18, are gear wheels 19, the teeth of which are adapted to mesh between rollers-20 mounted in a ring 21 that is fixed within .th-e'v propeller ring 5. Belts22 oper.- ulley, or drum, 10 and l8v so as to driVeIa-ll of the gear Wheels in the same direction andiat the same speed. WVith the airship so .equipped with propelling units, alternate ones of which op- ,erate in opposite directions, it is possible to.

L exert themaximum amount of driving pres-v 9, onwhich the r tails of construction in the manner of sure without causing any tendency to axially rotate the ship. It is to be noted also 'that the forward pull is directly in the axial at a desired pitch,

line of the ship and not below or at the side or at an angle with respect to the direction of movement. The frame of the ship, therefore, is not subjected to any torque or twist. It is apparent that the propeller units may be-.driyenat yarious speeds and may be provided in desired numbers as is required. It isto be.understood,, also, that various demounting the propeller rings and in the driving mechanism may be changed witho.ut...c;lepart1ng from the spirit of the mvenrtdOl], and for this reason, it is not desired thattheclaim be-limited only to thedetails herein illustrated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

In a ship of the character described, a raceway fixed about the body of the ship,

anti-friction members carried by the racexway, a ring revo-luble about the body of the ship on the anti-friction members and internally toothed ring gear fixed within the ring,

a plurality of propeller fins fixed to the ring, circumferentially spaced driving gears mounted within the body of the ship and engaging the ring gear and a driven means located centrally ;of the ship operatively connected with all vofisaid gears.

Signed at Tacoma, YVfashingcon, this 5th day .of April, 1926.

. JESSE'W. SILVER. 

